The Matt Smith Star Trek Doctor Who crossover, which took place in a 2012 comic series, brought together the Eleventh Doctor and Captain Picard as they joined forces to battle the formidable Borg and Cybermen. This unprecedented team-up unfolded in the IDW-published storyline, giving fans a chance to witness a unique alliance between two beloved science fiction universes on the pages of
“Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2.”
Star Trek and Doctor Who, two of the must-know franchises for science fiction enthusiasts, had long developed their own comic series, yet it was this storyline that dared to merge their worlds for a spectacular confrontation. Readers were treated to a narrative where Matt Smith’s energetic Doctor and Sir Patrick Stewart’s steadfast Captain Picard, along with the memorable companions Amy Pond and Rory Williams, faced off against a dangerous coalition of their greatest adversaries.
Bringing the Eleventh Doctor and Captain Picard Together
IDW Publishing, well-known for ambitious crossovers within its Star Trek comics, took things a step further when it presented Star Trek: The Next Generation/Doctor Who: Assimilation2 over eight issues from May to December 2012. The story stands out in the annals of both franchises, as it united Matt Smith’s Doctor and the Next Generation crew with a mission to thwart a dangerous plan engineered by the Borg and the Cybermen—classic foes for Picard and the Doctor, respectively.
Amy Pond and Rory Williams, trusted allies of the Eleventh Doctor, entered the USS Enterprise by way of the TARDIS while the Borg and Cybermen devastated a Federation planet. Working together with Captain Picard and his crew, they blended time travel expertise and technical prowess, determined to outwit these nearly invincible villains.
The narrative took a twist when the Cybermen betrayed the Borg, leading the desperate Borg collective to seek refuge and assistance from the Enterprise. While the Doctor traveled back in time to discover a solution to dismantle the Cybermen’s growing threat, Captain Picard and his team harnessed gold-based weaponry, exploiting a known Cyberman weakness. The Doctor’s imaginative use of time travel was so influential that even the Borg adapted similar tactics in Star Trek: First Contact.
An intriguing subplot emerged as Matt Smith’s Doctor experienced glimpses of memories from previous encounters with the Enterprise. It was later revealed that the Fourth Doctor had previously met Captain Kirk’s crew, blending the rich histories of both series in yet another creative narrative twist.
The Impact and Legacy of This Unconventional Crossover
Bringing together Star Trek and Doctor Who—two franchises renowned for using science fiction to examine humanity, technology, and deep philosophical questions—resulted in an exciting and imaginative experiment. While Star Trek has explored ambitious crossovers with Marvel and DC Comics, few felt as fitting as this meeting, thanks to each franchise’s distinct, yet overlapping fanbases and the iconic quality of their main characters and vessels, like the TARDIS and the USS Enterprise.
The 2012 IDW comic series rightfully highlighted Matt Smith’s take on the Doctor, who had become one of the most popular incarnations by the time of publication, even if not quite reaching David Tennant’s level of acclaim. On the Star Trek side, Patrick Stewart’s Captain Picard continued to stand out as one of the franchise’s most beloved captains, making the partnership not only logical but also thrilling for fans old and new.
A key aspect that made the crossover so compelling was the union of two of sci-fi’s most chilling adversaries. Both the Borg and the Cybermen are cyborg species, intent on assimilating organic beings and erasing their individuality. Seeing these two forces combine and subsequently turn on one another added dramatic depth and kept even longtime fans guessing where the story might lead.
While both Star Trek and Doctor Who have separately explored bold concepts and adventures throughout decades of storytelling, their creators and fans have often celebrated the ways these worlds mirror, challenge, and complement each other. This brief but memorable crossover stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of collaboration and creative possibility that defines both franchises.
Ultimately, the Matt Smith Star Trek Doctor Who crossover remains a highlight for science fiction fans, showcasing what can happen when trailblazers like the Doctor and Captain Picard must rely on each other in the face of common, existential enemies. As speculative fiction continues to evolve, such collaborations remind audiences of the excitement and narrative power that emerge when worlds collide.
